8. Maki Bell (Lakeway Christian, Junior/upperclassman, DL, ~6’2”, 270 lbs)
Athletic and powerful complement to Dikisongele at Lakeway. Prep Redzone notes him as an underrated East TN product with breakout potential—dominates single blocks, uses hands/speed well, and has good lower-half agility. Strong vs. the run with interior pass-rush upside. Rising stock in scouting circles.
9. Lyric Jackson (Anderson County, DL)
TSWA All-State honors (from prior stop at Concord Christian) with strong production (58 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks, 14 pressures). Physical and productive in the trenches. Anderson County’s program provides a good platform; expect continued impact and possible All-Region honors.
10. Caedon Hirshcy (Greeneville, DL) or comparable All-Region producers (e.g., David Weaver, Austin-East)
All-region selection with consistent production (34 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack in prior year). Greeneville’s competitive environment and his reliability earn him a spot in the top 10. Depth options like Weaver (strong sack/TFL numbers) or Powell’s William Taylor III fill similar roles.
Honorable Mentions
• Will Pasley (Grace Christian): Solid production (24 tackles, 9 TFL, 3 sacks).
• William Taylor III (Powell): Productive with pressures and TFL.
• David Weaver (Austin-East): Strong sack/TFL output.
• Quincy Prigmore (Maryville): Contributed in a solid Maryville program.
• Travis Brasfield (Knox Halls): Productive pass rusher per scouting notes. Others from All-Region teams (e.g., various Powell, Gibbs, or Sevier depth pieces) or smaller-school standouts.
Rising Stars (Underclassmen / High-Upside Prospects)
• Tyson Ritter (Karns, Freshman): Already showing early production (38 tackles, 3 TFL as a freshman). High ceiling with physical tools and experience in a good program—watch for sophomore-year leap.
• Maki Bell (Lakeway Christian): Already noted above; continued development could see him climb rankings quickly.
• Other sophomores/juniors from Alcoa, Powell, or Sevier County depth charts who benefit from strong coaching and varsity reps. East TN has good depth in the 2028 class that could emerge.
Projected Biggest Breakout Player: Elijah Valentine (Sevier County)
Valentine’s transfer to a contending Sevier County program, combined with his athletic profile (length, first step, bend) and prior production (near double-digit sacks/TFL), positions him for a big statistical leap and increased recruiting interest. He fits the “transfer + strong coaching + featured role” profile that often leads to breakout senior seasons in East TN. Sidikay Dikisongele could also explode onto the statewide scene if his production matches his size/commit status, but Valentine has the most “sleeper-to-star” trajectory based on available info.
Notes/Caveats: Rankings are subjective syntheses—production stats are from prior seasons (mostly 2025), and 2026 film/camp performances will shift things. Alcoa’s loaded roster (including Boyd) and Sevier/Powell’s competitiveness give East TN several impact players. Recruiting can change fast (e.g., more offers for top producers). For visuals or deeper film study, check Hudl profiles or local highlights. Prep Redzone TN and Knox News/PrepXtra are excellent ongoing resources for East TN football. (https://t.co/jJg5O0CyWM)
Resources: @MaxPreps@On3@Rivals@PrepRedzoneTN@prepxtra@LCALions_sports@alcoasports@alcoafootball@SmokyBearFball@PowellHighFB@ACHSMavsFB@CSmithScout@boyd_jace@RivalsHS@rivalrythursday@5StarPreps@TnVarsity@PrepRedzone@CSAPrepStar@espn